Food Stamp Outreach Resource Guide

Compiled November 2009

Sarah Shubitowski Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow

Manna-Food Security Partners

Dear Community Partner, Since the beginning of 2008, job losses have continued to mount and unemployment has hit a 25-year high. It is no surprise, then, that more people than ever are facing food insecurity. In November 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that more than 49.1 million Americans lived in households struggling against hunger in 2008. This was a jump of 13 million from 2007! The 2008 number is the highest ever in the history of the survey that was started by the USDA in 1995. A federal study recently referenced in the New York Times Editorial entitled, “Hunger in the United States,” showed that even before the recession began, more than two-thirds of families with children who were defined as “food insecure” under federal guidelines contained one or more full-time worker. This suggests that millions of Americans were trapped in low-wage jobs before the economic downturn, making it difficult to provide their children with adequate nutrition. We realize that these grim numbers don’t need to be stated for you to know the reality of the hardships faced by individuals in our community. Each day you come into contact with men and women that need help to move forward, feed their families, have adequate prenatal care, and a place to stay. Food is often the first cost sacrificed when rent, utilities, and medical expenses need to be paid. The Food Stamp Program, recently renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is considered the nation's primary safety net against hunger. Physicians and medical researchers also identify the Food Stamp Program as one of America’s “best medicines to prevent and treat childhood food insecurity.” One of Manna-Food Security Partners' primary goals is to improve access to food for low-income and vulnerable populations. We recognize one way to do this is to increase the enrollment of many eligible families and individuals not currently participating in the Food Stamp Program. We ask that you join a coordinated effort to reach more potentially eligible individuals in our community. For that reason, this Food Stamp Outreach Resource Guide has been compiled. It is our hope that the Outreach Guide will provide you a review of Food Stamp Program basics, and that the Outreach Toolkit will equip you with information that can easily be pulled out, photocopied, and distributed to the potentially eligible individuals you are already working with. In providing this manual, Manna-Food Security Partners commits to being a resource for you and keeping you informed. We encourage you to join our e-mail listserv so we can send updated policy and procedure information and transmit electronic versions of needed documents to you. E-mail us at Mannabz@comcast.net to join. Together we can organize around important policy changes to attack the root causes of hunger and food insecurity. Sincerely, Sarah Shubitowski Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow 09-10 Manna-Food Security Partners

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Table of Contents

Food Stamp Outreach Guide Goals of Food Stamp Outreach……….……………………………………………………………………5 Frequently Asked Questions About Food Stamps………………………………………………..6 Food Stamp Presentation Talking Points………………………………………………………………7 Basic Food Stamp Program Eligibility………………………………………………………….……….9 Pre-Screening Worksheet………….…………………………………………..…………………………. 10 Cultural Sensitivity in Outreach Work……………………………………………………….……….12 Detailed Immigrant and Refugee Eligibility Information for Caseworkers……….15

Food Stamp Outreach Toolkit

Food Stamp Program Flyer in English………………………………………………………………..18 Food Stamp Program Flyer in Spanish……………………………………………………………….19 Applying as an Immigrant or Refugee Flyer in English..……………………………………20 Applying as an Immigrant or Refugee Flyer in Spanish…………………………………….21 A Quick Guide about Public Charge and Receiving Public Benefits in English…..22 A Quick Guide about Public Charge and Receiving Public Benefits in Spanish…25 A Letter from USCIS to Food Stamp Program Applicants in Spanish……………….28 Applying with a Disability Flyer………………………………………….………………………………29 Applying for Food Stamps as a Senior Citizen Flyer…………………………………..…….30 Applying When Homeless Flyer………………………………………………………………………….31 Applying as a Working Person Flyer………………………..………………………………………..32 Special Situations of Food Stamp Program Eligibility…...…………………………………33

Guide to Federal and State Assistance Programs

Nutrition Programs………………………….…………………………………………………………………35 WIC School Nutrition Programs Meals on Wheels Second Harvest Food Distribution Sites……………………………………………………..36

Health Insurance Programs……………………………………..……………………………………….37 Medicare Medicaid Medicare Savings Program TennCare

Utilities Assistance Program………………………………………………………………………….……38 LIHEAP

Family Cash Assistance Program………………………………………………………………..………38 Families First/TANF

Programs for Elderly/Disabled……………………………………………………….……………………39 Supplemental Security Income Social Security

Nashville Social Services at a Glance.………………………………………………………..…...40

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Food Stamp Outreach Guide

♦ Goals of Food Stamp Outreach ♦ Frequently Asked Questions About Food Stamps ♦ Food Stamp Presentation Talking Points ♦ Basic Rules of Program Eligibility ♦ Pre-Screening Worksheet ♦ Cultural Sensitivity in Outreach Work ♦ Detailed Immigrant and Refugee Eligibility Information for

Caseworkers

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Goals of Food Stamp Outreach Food Stamp outreach is providing information or assistance to someone who might be eligible for the Food Stamp Program. The goal of Food Stamp Outreach is to help someone make an informed decision whether to apply for the program, and ultimately to increase participation by eligible people.1

There has long been a stigma in applying for food stamp benefits. For many years, the use of actual coupons drew unwanted attention, causing embarrassment in public settings. As the Food Stamp Program has moved to the use of an Electronic Benefits Card (EBT), there is less of a stigma. It is important for those of us working with potentially eligible individuals to continue to reduce the stigma and dispel myths that discourage individuals from applying for food stamp benefits. The Food Stamp Program is not welfare, but a nutrition program designed to help individuals stretch their food dollars and provide more healthy food for their families. It is possible for elderly or disabled individuals to apply from their homes. Homeless individuals can verify their identity using proof other than a Driver’s License. Children who are U.S. citizens are eligible for the Food Stamp Program even if their parents are not documented immigrants. Getting the word out about accurate eligibility information will connect many more individuals and families to benefits they desperately need. Food stamps not only help individuals and families when money’s tight, but Tennessee and Nashville also benefit. The average food stamp benefit per person is about $94 per month (fiscal year 2006 data), which is spent in local grocery stores. In fact, every $5 in new food stamp benefits generates a total of $9.20 in community spending. Every additional dollar’s worth of food stamp benefits generates 17 to 47 cents of new spending on food, and on average, $1 billion of retail food demand by food stamp recipients generates 3,300 farm jobs.

Manna-Food Security Partners is an organization that has been providing Food Stamp Program outreach to potentially eligible individuals for over 30 years. Manna-FSP works to determine who is unaware of the Food Stamp Program and target outreach to those individuals. This is done by increasing the regularity of visits to sites where outreach is being done and establishing new places to do outreach. Manna-FSP is working to develop partnerships with other organizations in the community that work with individuals who might be eligible for food stamp benefits. Together we can increase the number of people receiving accurate information about the Food Stamp Program, prescreen for eligibility, and connect individuals and families to food stamp benefits.

1 http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/outreach/pdfs/toolkit/office/USDA_offices1.pdf#page=2

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An Introduction to the Federal Food Stamp Program FOOD STAMP PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2

What is the Food Stamp Program/SNAP? The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition assistance program that helps low-income families and individuals purchase nutritious, healthy food. It is the cornerstone of the Nation’s nutrition assistance safety net. The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the Food Stamp Program at the Federal level through its Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). State agencies administer the program at state and local levels. Their responsibilities include determining eligibility and distributing benefits. Who is eligible to receive food stamp benefits? Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements can get food stamp benefits. Household income and other resources have to be under certain limits and are reviewed. The program allows for certain deductions like housing costs, child support, medical expenses, or child-care costs. A household may also have up to $2000 in assets. Households with a member age 60 or older — or a disabled member — may have up to $3000 in assets. Assets that do not count toward eligibility requirements include: a home, a vehicle, and the resources of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients. Where can I go to find out if I’m eligible to receive food stamp benefits? If you have access to a computer, you can quickly find out if you might qualify for food stamp benefits through the prescreening tool available on the USDA web site, www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov. You can also call Manna-Food Security Partners at 615-385-2286 and an outreach worker is able to prescreen you over the phone. The local food stamp office (615-532-4000 in Davidson Co.) can provide information about eligibility, and the USDA operates a toll-free number (1-800-221-5689) for people to call if they want to receive information about the Food Stamp Program by mail. If I receive food stamps, does that mean I am taking them away from someone else who might need them more than I do? No, when you receive food stamp benefits, you are not taking benefits away from another person. Everyone who applies and is determined to be eligible by the state/local eligibility worker will get food stamp benefits. 2 Information taken from the USDA’s How to Milk This Toolkit for All It’s Worth http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/outreach/pdfs/toolkit/office/USDA_offices1.pdf#page=13

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Food Stamp Presentation Talking Points One way that Manna-Food Security Partners does Food Stamp Outreach is by doing presentations to groups of potentially eligible individuals. Below are talking points that are used to structure presentations. Feel free to modify our talking points for your presentation needs!

We have all been in the situation where we’ve had to sacrifice buying something because we had to pay for something else. Since food stamp benefits help defray the costs of buying healthy foods, you’re less likely to have to make hard choices between eating right and paying for other essentials like rent or utilities.

Food stamps are not welfare. The Food Stamp Program, also known as SNAP, is a nutrition assistance program designed to help individuals that are only making a small amount of income to buy nutritious foods they might not be able to afford. The program was designed to help you stretch your food dollars.

If you apply and receive Food Stamps, you are not taking them from

someone else who might need them. Because the Food Stamp Program is an entitlement program, every person who meets the eligibility requirements has a right to these benefits.

Food Stamps come on a card called the Electronic Benefits Transfer card,

or EBT. Other people won’t even know you have Food Stamps because you slide your card through the machine at grocery stores just like a debit or credit card.

The EBT card can be used at most major groceries and stores that sell

food. They can be used at some farmers markets, including at some specific vendors at the Nashville Farmers Market. Food Stamps cannot be used to purchase household items, like toilet paper or detergent. They also cannot be used to purchase items like cigarettes or alcohol.

Food stamp eligibility depends on income. If you or your family have no

income, you can qualify for food stamps more quickly than if you have income. If DHS thinks you have enough income to pay for your basic needs, and you are eligible for food stamps, you will receive food stamps within 30 days. If you do not have any income, you should receive food stamps within 7 days.

The process for applying for food stamps begins by filling out an

application. You can pick one up at the Department of Human Services (DHS), which is located at 1000 2nd Ave. North in Nashville/Davidson County. There are other ways to get an application as well, including accessing them on the internet. Just look up Tennessee Department of Human Services and look for the link that says “forms” on the left hand side. You can also obtain an application by mail, either from DHS or by calling Manna-Food Security Partners.

After filling out an application, DHS will schedule an interview with you.

You will receive a letter telling you the date and time of your interview. It is possible to get a phone interview if you are elderly, disabled, or have transportation issues.

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DHS will want to see copies of verification information about your identification as well as any income you have as well as certain expenses. You can send copies of your verification through the mail or fax. You can also drop them off at the DHS office.

Recertification happens every 6 months and you can also do this over the

phone.

You will have a case worker at DHS who can answer your questions and who will monitor your case. Make sure to update your caseworker – let him or her know – any time there is a change in your income or expenses. Sometimes it is difficult to contact your case worker. Contacting him or her may require you to be “persistent” – calling 2-3 times a day, leaving messages and calling every day until you reach him or her. You can call Manna-Food Security Partners if you have questions regarding food stamps, or disagree with a decision DHS has made about your case.

Know that food stamps not only help individuals and families when money

is tight, but your State and local community also benefit. The average food stamp benefit per person is about $94 per month (fiscal year 2006 data), which is spent in local grocery stores. In fact, every $5 in new food stamp benefits generates a total of $9.20 in community spending. Every additional dollar’s worth of food stamp benefits generates17 to 47 cents of new spending on food, and on average, $1 billion of retail food demand by food stamp recipients generates 3,300 farm jobs.

Thank you very much!

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Basic Rules of Food Stamp Eligibility Food Stamp Program eligibility is based on a household’s monthly gross income. The Department of Human Services (DHS) also looks at assets, utilities, and shelter costs. What is a Household? It is the number of people who buy and prepare food together.

Check out the income eligibility chart below that is also based on how many people are in your household. This chart lists the maximum gross income you can make each month. Gross income is money someone makes before taxes or other things are deducted. Use the chart to see if someone might qualify.

1………………………………..$1,174 2…………………………………$1,579 3…………………………………$1,984 4…………………………………$2,389 5…………………………………$2,794 6…………………………………$3,200 7…………………………………$3,605 8…………………………………$4,010

NOTE: IF SOMEONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD IS OVER 60 OR DISABLED, THEY MAY BE ABLE TO GET FOOD STAMPS EVEN IF THEIR INCOME IS HIGHER.

Assets

A household may also have up to $2000 in assets. Households with a member age 60 or older—or a disabled member—may have up to $3000 in assets. Assets that do not count toward eligibility requirements include: a home, vehicles, and the resources of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients.

There are deductions for utilities so be sure to do a prescreening if you think someone might be eligible! If you have access to a computer, you can quickly find out if someone might qualify for food stamp benefits through the prescreening tool available on the USDA web site, www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov. Another option is to use the prescreening worksheet on the following page. You can also call Manna-Food Security Partners (615-385-2286) and an Outreach Worker will use a prescreening tool to screen someone over the phone.

NOTE: There is a work requirement for able-bodied adults

An able-bodied non-working adult is eligible for food stamps for three months during a 36-month period of time.

The work requirement does not apply to an able-bodied adult with a child 6 years of age or younger.3

3 To see all specifics of Food Stamp Program eligibility, take a look at the Food Stamp Manual: http://www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/adfam/fs-man-1.pdf

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Food Stamp Benefits Prescreening Worksheet

**If you have computer access, you can use the following website for prescreening: https://fabenefits.dhs.tn.gov/vip/website/signupservlet?pagename=homepage

A. Gross Monthly Earned Income <A>

B. Add Other Income <TANF, SSI, GA, social security, etc.> + <B>

C. Gross Monthly Income = <C>

HH Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Max Gross Income

1174 1579 1984 2389 2794 3200 3605 4010

D. Gross Monthly Earned Income <A> <A>

E. Subtract Work Expense Deduction <20% of A if Employed> - <E>

F. Net Earned Income <A - E> = <F>

G. Add Other Income <TANF, SSI, GA, social security, etc.> + <B>

= <G>

H. Subtract Standard Deduction -

($141 HH size1-3, $153 HH size 4, $179 HH-5, $205 HH 6+) = <H>

tot.exp net exp

I. Subtract Medical Expenses over $35 $ 35.00 -$35.00 -

<ONLY FOR ELDERLY OR DISABLED PERSONS> = <I>

J. Subtract Dependent Care Costs -

Dependent Care Costs include day care expenses = <J>

K. Subtract Child Support Payments -

Adjusted Net Income = <K>

L. Find Total Shelter Costs

1. Rent or Mortgage

2. Fire Insurance on Home +

3. Property Tax +

4. Telephone <no more than $25> +

5. Utilities <see chart below> +

Total Shelter Costs = <L>

� If person is homeless and paying to stay in a shelter, enter standard deduction of $143 for shelter costs.

HH Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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FS Standard Utility Allowance

314 326 338 350 360 372 384 396 408

� If actual costs of utilities (including $25 max for phone) can be proven to be greater than SUA, that amount may be used instead.

� A Basic Utility Allowance of $126 may be used if heating and cooling expenses are included in rent and the person pays only water, sewage, and phone OR if the person rents a separate apartment within a larger residence and contributes to a common utility bill.

M. Subtract 1/2 of Adjusted Income <1/2 x K> - <M>

N. EXCESS SHELTER COSTS <L-M> = <N>

O. Take the Figure for Adjusted Income <K>

Subtract Excess Shelter Costs up to $446 cap OR full - <N>

amount found in step N if figuring food stamps for a household with at least one elderly or disabled member.

MONTHLY NET INCOME <K-N> = <O>

P. Compare Monthly Net Income to Chart <If monthly net income is higher than figure

on the chart, household is ineligible.>

HH Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Max Net

Income 903 1215 1526 1838 2150 2461 2773 3085 3397

Q. Multiply the Household's Net Income <O> by 0.3 <O>

and round up to next dollar. X 0.30

Adjusted Food Stamp Income = <Q>

R. Subtract Adjusted Food Stamp Income <Q> form the figures in the chart below.

HH Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Max FS

Allotment 200 367 526 668 793 952 1052 1202 1352

Maximum Food Stamp Allotment

Adjusted Food Stamp Income - <Q>

S. MONTHLY FOOD STAMP ALLOTMENT4 = <S> NOTE: The minimum FS Allotment is $16/month even if the figure shown is negative. The first month’s amount might be less depending on the day of the month the food stamps begin.

4 This is the form that Manna-Food Security Partners uses for pre-screening.

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Cultural Sensitivity in Outreach Work What Is Cultural Competence? Cultural competence refers to how well people understand and interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Diversity means not only people of different nationalities, ethnic groups, and religious backgrounds, but also includes gender and age, people living with disabilities, as well as the extent to which immigrants have integrated into mainstream American culture. Steps for Being Culturally Sensitive in the Application Process • Support and obtain professional development and training for frontline and outreach staff on diversity and cultural and linguistic competence. Share articles and other materials that will help in this effort. • Emphasize customer service and courtesy. Accurate information should be provided in a respectful and timely manner. • Ensure that everyone is aware of outside resources that may exist, and how and when it is appropriate to access those resources. • Develop written guidelines for handling situations that are procedural in nature, such as accessing TTY or language-line services and interpreters. Quick Tips for Communicating With Clients and Families At the heart of cultural competence is learning to communicate effectively with individuals and their families. Here are a few tried and true suggestions: • When working with people different from yourself, it’s important to put your own personal biases aside. Keep an open mind and don’t jump to conclusions. Because a person speaks with an accent does not mean they are not a native-born citizen. Take time to learn about the person you are speaking with, which demonstrates respect and an understanding of cultural competency. • Establish rapport. In many cultures, it is important to establish some type of relationship before discussing business. Taking a few extra moments to ask questions and learn more about an individual and his/her family often makes an enormous difference in the long run. • While developing rapport, refrain from discussing topics, such as personal relationships, or behaviors that may be misinterpreted. As a practice, avoid making jokes or displaying questionable posters or artwork in your office or workspace. • If you don’t know what their native language is, use the “I Speak” document available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/translations.htm, which lists, in 34 different languages, the words “I Speak.” Give this document to your clients so they can point out for you which language they speak when they spot it. • Respect personal space. When you first meet with potential clients, ask them to sit where they feel the most comfortable. This will allow people to choose the personal

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distance that makes them most comfortable. Similarly, refrain from casually tapping or touching someone, which in some cultures can be perceived as being too familiar. • Identify the decision maker. Find out who the influential parties are and how they make decisions. It may be important to ask, “Do you want to discuss the Food Stamp Program with other members of your family?” Send a message through children but do not use children as interpreters.

For many parents who don’t speak English well, their children often serve as conduits for information. They can take home what they received in school--for instance, information on summer programs or the Food Stamp Program. However, some caution must be taken if a parent brings a child to a meeting to serve as an interpreter. Children may be able to informally convey casual conversation points. However, eligibility for a government program is different. Children may not understand the meaning of technical words such as income and resources. Also, parents may not feel comfortable discussing certain information such as household income in front of their children.

• Ask questions and listen to the answers. Asking questions shows that you really are interested in what a person has to say and his or her perspectives. But pay attention. Do not interrupt your client or try to put words in his or her mouth. • Check for understanding. In some cultures, people are reluctant to ask questions of authority figures. Explain that asking for clarification is acceptable, and then ask follow up questions to determine whether they correctly understood you. Ask open-ended questions to ensure the information has been adequately understood. • Learn greetings and titles of respect in other languages that you commonly encounter. • Write numbers down. People easily confuse numbers spoken in a new language. Eight Common Mistakes to Avoid 1. Disrupting home and work schedules when conducting education and outreach activities. 2. Dismissing cultural preferences, customs, and traditions when discussing health and nutrition. 3. Assuming others perceive things the same way you do. 4. Getting “right down to business.” In many cultures, socializing is an important first step before discussing business or personal matters. 5. Conducting interviews or discussing personal information in an open setting. Receiving assistance from outside agencies is an embarrassment in some cultures, and may be better discussed behind closed doors. 6. Misreading silence for confusion or lack of knowledge. Allow for a short period of silence or reflection. Rather than asking if the person understood what was discussed, ask open-ended questions as you probe for understanding.

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7. Ignoring the importance of such factors as age, gender, or position in family when asking for decisions. 8. Making assumptions based on stereotypes. Examples: Ms. L. has a Hispanic surname and speaks with an accent. She arrives for a community-sponsored workshop on how to apply for food stamps. When she approaches the sign-in table and gives her name to the staff person, she is promptly asked to step to the side and wait a moment. The staff person speaks slowly and in a loud voice. Ms. L immediately knows that the staff person assumes she cannot speak English, and has gone to get someone who is bilingual to help out. Although she is pleased that they are making the effort to provide translators for individuals who require this level of language assistance, she wishes they had asked about her specific needs. Ms. T is African-American. She stops by the Food Stamp Program booth at a citywide festival and asks where in her community she can find out more about applying for food stamps. She notices that instead of asking where she lives, the outreach worker assumes she lives in a predominately African-American section of town and immediately refers her to a location in that area. This infuriates Ms. T because she does not live in that area and must point that out before receiving the correct information. When Doing Outreach With Communities of Color, Elderly Individuals, or People Living With Disabilities, Ask These Questions:

Are there other organizations that have similar goals and might be willing to work with us to address this need?

How could my local food stamp office be of assistance? What resources (staff, in-language support, materials) do we have but may not be

fully using? Has any research been conducted that highlights effective ways of reaching the

target population within the community? Can we rely on other work to give us insights and answers?5

5 Taken from the USDA’s Cultural Competency, A Dash of Diversity, A Medley of Outreach Ideas http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/outreach/pdfs/toolkit/office/USDA_offices3.pdf#page=2

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Detailed Eligibility Information for Outreach With Immigrants and Refugees

Food Stamp Policy on Immigrants A person must be a U.S. citizen, a member of a small group of certain non-citizens, or an eligible non-citizen to qualify for food stamps.

Non-citizens who qualify outright There are some immigrants who are immediately eligible for food stamps without having to meet other immigrant requirements, as long as they meet the normal food stamp requirements:

• Non-citizen nationals (people born in American Samoa or Swain’s Island)

• American Indians born in Canada

• Members (born outside the U.S.) of Indian tribes under Section 450b(e) of

the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

• Members of Hmong or Highland Laotian tribes that helped the U.S. military

during the Vietnam era, and who are legally living in the U.S., and their

spouses or surviving spouses and dependent children

Qualified individuals eligible without a waiting period If a person is not a citizen, or one of the other groups above, he or she has to fit one of the following criteria to be eligible with no waiting period:

• Granted asylum under Section 208 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act

(INA)

• Refugee admitted under section 207 of INA

• Deportation withheld under 243(h) or 241(b)(3) of INA

• Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in 501(e) of the Refugee Education

Assistance Act of 1980

• Amerasian immigrant under 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing

and Related Program Appropriations Act

• Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) with a military connection (veteran, on

active duty, or spouse or child of a veteran or active duty service member)

Qualified individuals eligible after a waiting period A qualified individual who does not belong to one of the groups above can get food stamps if he/she is otherwise eligible, and is:

• A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) is who has earned, or can be credited

with, 40 quarters of work

• A qualified individual in one of the following groups who has been in qualified

status for 5 years:

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o An LPR who has earned, or can be credited with, less than 40

quarters of work

o Paroled for at least one year under section 212(d)(5) of INA

o Granted conditional entry under 203(a)(7) of INA in effect prior to

4/1/80

o Battered spouse, battered child or parent or child of a battered

person with a petition pending under 204(a)(1)(A) or (B) or

244(a)(3) of INA.

As of Oct. 1, 2003, members of these groups under 18 are eligible without a waiting period. (Continuing eligibility will be reviewed once the individual reaches age 18.)

Special eligibility conditions The following individuals, as defined above, are also eligible without a waiting period:

• Lawfully in the U.S. on Aug. 22, 1996, and currently under age 18.

(Continuing eligibility will be reviewed once the person reaches age 18.)

• Lawfully in U.S. and 65 or older as of Aug. 22, 1996

• Lawfully in the U.S. and receiving government payments for disability or

blindness6

6 Information provided from the Food Stamp Outreach Project: http://www.foodstampshelp.org/facts/immigration.aspx

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Food Stamp Outreach Toolkit Remove and Copy for Outreach ♦ Food Stamp Program Flyer in English ♦ Food Stamp Program Flyer in Spanish ♦ Applying as an Immigrant or Refugee Flyer in English ♦ Applying as an Immigrant or Refugee Flyer in Spanish ♦ Guide to Public Charge and Receiving Public Benefits in English ♦ Guide to Public Charge and Receiving Public Benefits in Spanish ♦ A Letter from USCIS to Food Stamp Program Applicants in Spanish ♦ Applying with a Disability Flyer ♦ Applying for Food Stamps as a Senior Citizen Flyer ♦ Applying for Food Stamps When Homeless Flyer ♦ Applying for Food Stamps as a Working Person Flyer ♦ Special Situations of Food Stamp Program Eligibility

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Looking for a way to stretch your food dollars?

Find out if you are eligible for the Food Stamp Program! Food Stamp Program eligibility is based on your household’s gross monthly income. A household is the number of people who buy and prepare food together. This chart below lists the maximum gross income you can make each month for the number of people in your household. Gross income is money you make before taxes or other things are deducted. Use the chart to see if you might qualify.

1………………………………..$1,174 2…………………………………$1,579

3…………………………………$1,984 4…………………………………$2,389

5…………………………………$2,794 6…………………………………$3,200 7…………………………………$3,605 8…………………………………$4,010

NOTE: IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOME IS OVER 60 OR DISABLED, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET FOOD STAMPS EVEN IF YOUR INCOME IS HIGHER. Assets are also taken into account. A household may also have up to $2000 in assets. Households with a member age 60 or older—or a disabled member—may have up to $3000 in assets. Assets that do not count toward eligibility include: a home, a vehicle, and the resources of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients.

If you have access to a computer, you can quickly find out if you might qualify for food stamp benefits through the prescreening tool available on the USDA web site, www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov. You can also call Manna-Food Security Partners at (615-385-2286) and an Outreach Worker will prescreen you over the phone and send you an application!

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Usted puede ser elegible para recibir estampillas de comida si usted

contesta las siguientes preguntas.

1. ¿Es usted residente del condado de Davidson? SI 2. ¿Es usted o su(s) niños(s) ciudadanos o residente(s) permanente(s) legal(es) de los Estados Unidos? SI 3. ¿Es la suma total de dinero de su familia menos de o igual a $2000 * (incluyendo dinero en efectivo, cuentas bancarias, cuentas de jubilación, acciones, bonos, etc.)? * $3000 si usted o un miembro de su la familia tiene 60 años o más o está incapacitado permanentemente. SI 4. ¿Son los ingresos brutos mensuales de usted/su familia* (antes de deducciones) entre los limites siguientes? SI *(si usted o un miembro de su familia tiene 60 anos o más que está incapacitado permanentemente es posible que sea elegible para estampillas para comida aunque los ingresos brutos excedan los limites) Personas

en El Hogar

Ingresos Mensuales

Personas en

El Hogar

Ingresos Mensuales

1 $1174 6 $3200 2 $1579 7 $3605 3 $1984 8 $4010 4 $2389 9 $4415 5 $2794 10 $4820

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Llame a Manna-Food Security

Partners al (615) 385-2286 con

preguntas acerca de los beneficios,

elegibilidad, o para conseguir una

aplicación.

YOU SHOULD KNOW:

If you are a legal immigrant and you get food stamps, it will not hurt your chances of becoming a citizen.

Undocumented people can’t get food

stamps, but citizens and some legal immigrants who live with them can get food stamps, including children.

Children of undocumented immigrants can

get food stamps if they are citizens (born in the U.S.) or legal permanent residents.

If you are an undocumented immigrant

applying for your children born in the United States, you do not have to put your social security number or immigration status on the food stamp application. Food stamp information is confidential and you cannot be held a “public charge.”

A sponsor’s income and resources are

generally counted when you apply for food stamps, but there are some exceptions so you should ask the local food stamp office.

An immigrant is eligible to apply for food stamp benefits if he/she:

Has been in the US as a legal resident for five years.

Has earned, or can be credited with, 40 quarters of work.

Is a refugee or asylee. Has a military connection. Is a member of certain

Indian tribes.

**Check with your outreach worker or with your local Department of Human Services Office for more eligibility information.

You can apply for food stamps even if you do not speak English.

Local food stamp offices have applications in many languages.

Food stamp workers can find

interpreters to help you. Or a friend or family member who speaks English can apply for you. You do not have to bring your own interpreter to the food stamp office.

Press Office U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Call Manna-Food Security

Partners at 615-385-2286 to be prescreened or to have an

application mailed to your home.

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INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE

Si Ud. es inmigrante legal obtener los beneficios de cupones para alimentos no le impedirá a que consiga a su green card o cuidadanía estadounidense.

Si sus hijos son ciudadanos

estadounidenses, Ud. puede aplicar para los beneficios de su parte aunque Ud. no es elegible por razones de inmigración.

Si Ud. no tiene número de Seguridad

Social, no incluya uno. El Departamento de Servicios Humanos sabrá que Ud. no está aplicando para beneficios para sí mismo.

Los ingresos y recursos de un

patrocinador generalmente se computan cuando solicita los cupones para alimentos. Pero existen ciertan excepciones. Pregunte en la oficina local de cupones para alimentos. Si recibe los beneficios, el resto de los integrantes de su hogar pueden llegar a cumplir con los requisitos.

¿Quiénes pueden ser eligibles?

Inmigrantes legales documentados quienes han estado en E.E.U.U. por 5 años.

Niños inmigrantes documentados. Inmigrantes incapacidados

quienes reciben beneficios de incapacidad.

Refugiados y asilados, aun si llegan a ser residentes permanentes legales.

**Es importante averiguar con el Departamento de Servicios Humanos para información de elegibilidad específica.

Puede solicitor cupones para alimentos si no habla ingles.

Cualquier persona puede solicitar los cupones para alimentos. Las oficinas locales de cupones para alimentos pueden buscar intérpretes en varios idiomas. Los trabajadores de cupones para alimentos pueden buscar intérpretes que lo ayuden. O un amigo o miembro de familia que habla inglés puede solicitarlos en su representación.

Hay formularios en Español

para solicitar para cupones para alimentos.

Llame a Manna-Food Security Partners al (615) 385-2286 con preguntas acerca de los

beneficios, elegibilidad, o para conseguir una

aplicación.

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The following letter is from USCIS to Food Stamp Program Applicants explaining that the Food Stamp Program will not affect their immigration status or cause them to be a “public charge.”

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If you are living with a disability, you can get food stamps even if you get SSI, disability-related Medicaid, or other disability or insurance benefits.

You can get food stamp benefits and still receive

Meals-on-Wheels. You can use food stamp benefits to pay for home-delivered meals like Meals on Wheels and meals served at certain locations.

YOU SHOULD KNOW:

If you are living with a disability, you can have a telephone interview for your application interview and recertification.

Medical expenses, including prescription

expenses that exceed $35/month, may be deducted unless an insurance company or someone who is not a household member pays for them. Only the amount over $35 can be deducted.

Disabled people don’t have to look for a

job or register for work to get food stamp benefits. They can’t be denied food stamp benefits for not working.

Myth: Food Stamps are not worth applying for since you only get $10. Fact: While the amount of food stamp benefits are based on family size, income, and certain expenses, households with a disabled person receive, on average, about $126 in food stamp benefits per month.

The resource limit for disabled households is $3,000. A house and car don’t count as resources. Other personal items such as jewelry, furniture, appliances, most pension funds, and insurance policies also don’t count.

Myth: Food Stamps are welfare. Fact: The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition assistance program. It helps people with low incomes buy nutritious food. It is not welfare.

Call Manna-Food Security Partners at 615-385-2286

to be prescreened or to have an application mailed

to your home.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Myth: Elderly people must go to the food stamp office for an interview. Fact: If an elderly person is not able to go to DHS, he or she may request a telephone interview. The person may also as a relative, pastor, neighbor, etc. to attend the interview as an authorized representative.

Medical expenses, including prescription expenses

that exceed $35/month, may be deducted unless an insurance company or someone who is not a household member pays for them. Only the amount over $35 can be deducted.

Applicants over 60 don’t have to look for a job or

register for work to get food stamp benefits. They can’t be denied food stamp benefits for not working.

Owning a home is not counted as a resource in the

Food Stamp Program. Therefore, an elderly person can own a home and still get food stamps.

Applicants for and recipients of SSI may also

apply for food stamp benefits at the Social Security Office.

The limit for elderly households or households

containing one elderly person is up to $3000.

Elderly households who receive food stamps can also get Meals on Wheels.

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Myth: Other people need food stamps more than elderly individuals. If an elderly individual receives food stamps, he or she will be taking them away from someone who might need them more. Fact: The Food Stamp Program is an Entitlement Program. In other words, everyone who applies and is determined eligible will get food stamp benefits.

Call Manna-Food Security Partners at 615-385-2286 to be prescreened or to have an

application mailed to your home.

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YOU SHOULD KNOW

You can get food stamp benefits even if you live in a shelter with meals.

You can’t be turned down for food stamp benefits even if you don’t have a kitchen or place to cook.

**IMPORTANT** If you are homeless, like all able-bodied adults without dependents, you do not need to have a job or look for a job to apply for food stamp benefits. You are entitled to three months of food stamps within in a 36 month period. After that, you must register for work and take part in eligible job activities to keep food stamp benefits. This rule does not apply to people with children 6 years old or younger; people with disabilities; and in certain areas of some states with high levels of unemployment.

MYTH: You must have housing and a mailing address to get food stamps. FACT: You can get food stamp benefits even if you live on the streets and do not have a mailing address. If you live in a shelter, bring a letter from a shelter employee that says you live there when you apply.

MYTH: You need a photo ID to get food stamps. FACT: You don’t need a photo ID to get food stamps, but a proof of identity. A photo ID is only one way to prove identity. You can’t be turned down for food stamp benefits because you don’t have a photo ID. You can use another ID like a work or school badge, a health benefits card, an ID from another social service, a pay stub, a birth certificate, or a voter registration card. The food stamp worker can also check your identity by calling shelter workers or employees.

Call Manna-Food Security Partners at 615-385-2286 to be prescreened or

to have an application mailed to you.

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YOU SHOULD KNOW You do not have to be unemployed to get food stamps. Most people who work low wage jobs are eligible. Many working people use food stamps to make ends meet. Your household may have up to $2000 in assets. Some assets like your home and car do not count. Getting food stamp benefits also depends on your household size, income and some expenses, like child support, housing and childcare costs. You can have a savings account, and even stocks and bonds, and still be eligible for food stamps.

If you receive

unemployment, you may still

qualify for food stamps.

MYTH: Food Stamps are welfare. FACT: The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition assistance program. It helps low income people buy nutritious foods. It is not welfare.

MYTH: Food stamps are not worth applying for because you’ll only get $10. FACT: The amount of food stamp benefits depends on household size, income, and certain expenses. A mother with two children who works full time at $7 per hour and pays $350 in rent could receive $180 in food stamp benefits per month.

Call Manna-Food Security Partners at 615-385-2286

to be prescreened or to have an application

mailed to your home.

Special Food Stamp Program Eligibility Situations7

Individual with a drug charge

You are not eligible for food stamps if you have been convicted of a drug felony for conduct on or after August 22, 1996 unless you have gone through a drug treatment or recovery program. Even if years have passed since the conviction, it’s not too late to sign-up for a treatment program.

Young Adults

Parents and their children under age 22 who live together cannot be separate households, even if they do not buy or cook food together.

Students

A student is eligible for food stamps if he or she is enrolled at least half-time in college and is working 20 hours per week or is getting federal work-study money.

Other situations a student might be eligible would be if they are getting cash assistance (Families First) or taking care of a small child.

Unemployed Able-bodied Adult

An able-bodied non-working adult is only eligible for food stamps for three months during a 36-month period of time.

The work requirement does not apply to an able-bodied adult with a child 6 years of age or younger.8

Persons with very little or no income

If you have very little or no income and resources and qualify for food stamps, the food stamp office must get you your food stamps within seven calendar days of the date you apply. This is called “expedited service.” If the person you pre-screen or help to apply for food stamps qualifies for expedited food stamps, you should tell them to make this very clear to the person they talk to at the Department of Human Services.

7 See the Food Stamp Manual for more special situations: http://www.state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/fs-man-2.pdf 8 To see all specifics of Food Stamp Program eligibility, take a look at the Food Stamp Manual: http://www.state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/fs-man-1.pdf

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You can get expedited service if:

(1) you have $100 or less in liquid resources (cash) and less than $150 in gross monthly income; or

(2) your shelter costs are more than the total of your gross income and liquid

resources; or

(3) you are a migrant farmer with $100 or less in liquid resources and you got all of your income for the month before you applied for food stamps from a job that is still not paying you and you do not expect to get more than $25 from any new source of income for at least the next ten days.

Intro to Federal and State Assistance Programs

♦ Nutrition Programs

o WIC o School Nutrition Programs o Meals on Wheels o Second Harvest Food Distribution Sites

♦ Health Insurance Programs o Medicare o Medicaid o Medicare Savings Program o TennCare

♦ Utilities Assistance Program o LIHEAP

♦ Family Cash Assistance Program o Families First/TANF

♦ Programs for Elderly/Disabled o Supplemental Security Income o Social Security

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Other Nutrition Assistance Programs

WIC9

Free/Reduced Price School Breakfast and Lunch Programs10

Meals on Wheels11

About WIC 9 http://health.nashville.gov/FAQWIC.htm School Nutrition Program http://tennessee.gov/education/support/nutrition.shtml 10

11 About Meals on Wheels http://www.nashville.gov/sservices/nutrition_n.htm

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Food, nutrition counseling, and access to health services are provided to low-income women, infants, and children under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, popularly known as WIC.

Any student attending a school that offers either program can eat breakfast or lunch at school. Families must complete an application, or be directly certified, to determine eligibility for free or reduced price school meals through the School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Ask about this program at the child’s school.

Meals on Wheels is a nutrition program for senior adults. It promotes and maintains the health and well being of persons sixty years of age and older through the provision of a daily low-cost, nutritional and satisfying noon day meal served in congregate settings or delivered to the home. Metro Social Services, Senior Nutrition Program: (615) 880-2292 Home Delivery Referrals: (615) 880-2459 523 A Mainstream Dr.

The Health Department has three WIC clinics in Nashville:

Lentz Public Health Center 311 23rd Avenue North (615) 340-5619 M-F 7:30am-4:30pm, T 7:30am - 7:00pm

East Nashville Public Health Center 1015 East Trinity Lane (615) 862-6625 M-F 7:30am- 4:30pm, W 7:30am-7:00pm

Woodbine Public Health Center 224 Oriel Avenue (615) 862-7904 M-F 7:30am-4:30pm, TH 7:30am-7:00pm

Second Harvest Food Box Sites in Davidson County12

East Nashville Cooperative Ministry St. Phillips Episcopal Church 807 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206 85 Fairway Dr. Nashville, TN 37214 615-244-7312 (615) 778-1849Monday-Friday Tuesday & Thursday, 4-6pm Food Boxes 10AM-12PM, 1PM-2PM Homeless Lunches 12PM-12:30PM Goodlettsville Help Center 108 Depot St Goodlettsville, TN 37072 Martha O'Bryan Center 615-859-4706 711 S 7th St Nashville, TN 37206 Monday-Friday 11AM-3PM 615-254-1791 Monday-Thursday 11PM-2:30PM, Friday 12-2:30PM Napier Community Center 73 Fairfield Avenue Nashville, TN 37210 New Life Seventh Day Adventist Church Monday-Thursday 1:30PM-2:30PM 208 Gatewood Ave Nashville, TN 37207 615-228-7505 New Song Christian Fellowship Monday-Thursday 9AM-12PM 2949 Nolensville Rd Nashville, TN 37210 Thursday 2PM-5PM, Friday 11AM-2PM Salvation Army Magness Potter 225 Berry St Nashville, TN 37207 Eastminster Presbyterian Church 615-255-0921 3930 Gallatin Pike Monday-Thursday 1PM-4PM 615-262-5531 Monday 11AM-12PM, 1PM-3PM Lutheran Family Services 1628 8th Ave N Nashville, TN 37208 Christian Cooperative Ministry 615-242-3156 201 Madison St Madison, TN 37115 Monday-Friday 8:30AM-11AM 615-868-6865 Closed on Thursday Monday-Friday 9AM-12PM Temple Baptist Church Hamilton United Methodist Church 3720 Kings Lane Nashville, TN 37218 3105 Hamilton Church Rd Antioch, TN 615-876-7656 615-361-7210 Wednesday 1PM-3PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM Monday and Wednesday 4PM-6PM St. Luke's Community House Una Church of Christ 5601 New York Ave Nashville, TN 37209 1917 Old Murfreesboro Pk. Nashville, TN 37217 615-350-7893 615-361-8920 Monday-Friday 9AM-1:30PM Open Thursday 9-11AM Edgehill Center Watkins Park Community Center 935 Edgehill Ave Nashville, TN 37203 616 17th Ave. N Nashville, TN 37203 615-256-5108 862-8468 Mon-Wed., Fri 10AM–12PM, Thurs 4–6PM Wednesday and Thursday 12-2PM

12 To find Second Harvest Food Distribution Sites in other counties in TN, visit this website: http://www.secondharvestmidtn.org/?q=node/5

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An emergency food box provides two to three-days worth of staple food items, based on the number of members in each household. The boxes contain non-perishable items such as canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned meat, macaroni & cheese, rice, beans, peanut butter, cereal and crackers. Bring Social Security cards for each member of your household and something with your address on it (piece of mail, bill, lease, etc.) Note: Persons who do not have a social security number can still receive a food box. Questions? Contact Emergency Food Box Manager at 615-329-3491

Health Insurance Programs Medicare13 Medicaid14

CHIP/TennCare15

13 About Medicare http://www.medicare.gov/14 More information about Medicaid can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/ 15 About TennCare http://www.state.tn.us/tenncare/

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Medicare is a national health insurance program for individuals eligible for Social Security who are either over 65 years of age or permanently disabled are entitled. Medicare has 4 parts: A, B, C, D A – Hospital and skilled nursing care B – Physician and outpatient hospital care C – HMOs/Medicare Advantage (MA) D – Outpatient prescription drug coverage You can use this website to find out more about eligibility and application process: http://www.medicare.gov/Or call: 1-800-772-1213

Medicaid provides health and long-term care coverage for nearly 59 million low-income people. To be eligible, individuals must meet financial criteria and also be categorically eligible (low-income children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities, parents). You can apply for Medicaid by using the same form you would use for TennCare. See information below.

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers kids ineligible for Medicaid and/or are not covered by private insurance. CHIP coverage provides eligible children with coverage for a full range of health services including regular checkups, immunizations, prescription drugs, lab tests, X-rays, hospital visits and more. It has both premiums and co-pays. In Tennessee, CHIP is known as TennCare. TennCare Specifics To apply for TennCare you need to fill out an application. It is the same application as the one for Food Stamp Benefits. You can get an application by calling 615-532-4000. Don’t give up, someone will eventually answer!

Medicare Savings Program15

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB), and Qualified Individual Program (QI) help Medicare beneficiaries of modest means pay all or some of Medicare’s cost sharing amounts (i.e. premiums, deductibles, and copayments). To qualify an individual must be eligible for Medicare and must meet certain income guidelines which change annually on April 1st.

Utilities Assistance Program LIHEAP16

Family Cash Assistance Program TANF/Families First17

16 More information about LIHEAP can be found at http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Tenn.htm17 Information taken from the Families First Guide written and distributed by the Tennessee Justice Center and the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.

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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay the winter heating bills or summer cooling bills of 4.4 million households with low-incomes. States may allocate up to 15 percent of their basic grant allocation for low-cost residential weatherization or other energy-related home repair and up to 25 percent if they meet certain conditions and obtain a waiver from HHS. Call 615-313-4766 to find out how to get help with your utilities bills. Check out this website for more organizations that could help you: http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Tenn.htm

Families First provides temporary cash benefits to families who have children, and are experiencing financial difficulties. These benefits are time-limited to 60 months in a participant’s lifetime.

To apply for Families First, get an application for the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) located at 1000 2nd Avenue North (37202) in Nashville. Or go to www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/forms/forms.html, fill out a form, and turn it in right away. After you turn in your application, you will need to see a worker at the DHS. You should receive a letter that tells your interview time. If you have problems getting to see a worker, call your local DHS at 532-4000 or call the Family Assistance Service Center at 1-866-311-4287. This is a free call. Within 45 days of turning in your application, you should know if you can get Families First.

Supplemental Security Income18

Social Security19

18 Understanding Supplemental Security Income http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-apply-ussi.htm19 http://www.ssa.gov/

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little shelter or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

You can apply by calling 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing) and making an appointment to apply for SSI benefits. With an appointment, a representative will help you apply for benefits. You can have an appointment to apply for benefits on the telephone or in person at your local Social Security office. Find contact information for the Davidson County Social Security Office below. Check this website for more information about Supplemental Security Income and eligibility requirements: http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-apply-ussi.htm

Social security is for individuals aged 62 or older, or disabled or blind; and “insured” by having enough work credits. For applications filed December 1, 1996 or later, you must either be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present alien in order to receive monthly Social Security benefits.

To qualify for Social Security benefits based on a disability other than blindness, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security. The number of work credits you need for disability benefits depends on your age when you became disabled. You generally need 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

Contact the local Social Security office to set up an appointment to apply. It is located at 120 Athens Way, Nashville, TN, 37228. The office is open M-F: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Phone Numbers: Local Number (615) 736-2248 Toll-Free 1-800-772-1213 TTY (615) 736-2319

Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to receive Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI benefits is also the application for Social Security benefits. They often need to obtain additional information from the person before Social Security benefits are awarded.

Where to Find Help in Nashville

**CALL 211 for more resources**

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Transportation Downtown Clinic: 862-7900 526 8th Avenue South Medical, Dental, Treatment MTA Access Ride (disabled, +65) 880-3970 TennCare Transport: 333-5445 Mid-Cumberland Community Services Agency: 1-877-883-2889

Rental Assistance

Campus for Human Development 251-9791 532 8th Avenue South Ladies of Charity 327-3430 2212 State Street

Metro Action Commission 1624 5th Avenue North 862-8860 x124

Salvation Army (Vouchers) 255-0921 225 Berry St.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Alcoholics Anonymous AA 24 Hour Hotline: 831-1050 Narcotics Anonymous: 251-7400 Al-Anon Family Services of Middle TN 176 Thompson Lane, Suite G-3 333-6066 Buffalo Valley: 1-800-447-2766 Downtown Clinic: 862-7900 526 8th Avenue South First Response Center: 321-9791 1219 9th Avenue North Skyline Hospital-Madison: 860-6310 500 Hospital Drive, Madison

Housing Shelters Nashville Rescue Mission 255-2475, 639 Lafayette St. Salvation Army: 242-0411 631 Dickerson Rd. (Men) Family Life Center: 312-1574 1716 8th Ave. N Safe Haven Family Shelter 256-8195 Oasis Center: 327-4455 (Youth) 1415 17th Avenue South Room in the Inn: 251-7019 532 8th Ave. S, (Nov-March) Transitional Salvation Army: 242-0411 Park Center: 228-9254 (persons with mental illness) Matthew 25: 383-9577 The Next Door: 251-8805 Permanent MDHA: 252-6500 Urban Housing Solutions: 726-2696 x118

Employment Better Tomorrows Adult Education: 228-6525 908 Meridian Street TN Career Center at Metro Center: 253-8920 621 Mainstream Dr., Ste 210 TN Career Center at Nashville South: 741-3556 3763 Nolensville Rd. Vocational Rehab: 741-1606 88 Hermitage Avenue Welcome Home Ministries 309-7087 (painting, landscaping, demo)

Legal Services

Legal Aid 1-800-238-1443

Health and Mental Healthcare Lentz Health Center: 340-2172 311 23rd Avenue, North, Room 206 Bridges to Care (Health Dept): 760-2799 311 23rd Avenue North, Room 120 Downtown Clinic: 862-7900 526 8th Avenue South Matthew Walker: 327-9400 1035 14th Avenue North Mental Health Cooperative: 726-3340 24-Hr Mental Health Crisis Line and Walk-In Center: 726-0125 275 Cumberland Bend Drive Nashville General Hospital: 341-4000 Siloam Family Health Center: 298-5406 820 Gale Lane UNHS Cayce Clinic: 226-1695 617 S 8th Street (Hablen Espanol) UNHS Madison Family Clinic: 425-3333 601 Due West Avenue UNHS Waverly-Belmont Clinic: 269-3461 1501 12th Avenue South Vine Hill Clinic: 292-9770 601 Benton Avenue

HIV/AIDS Street Works 248-1905 83 University Court Nashville CARES 1-800-845-4266 501 Brick Church Park Drive First Response Center 321-9791 1219 9th Avenue, North

Veteran Services V.A. Medical Center: 327-5320 Operation Stand Down: 321-3919

Domestic Violence

YWCA DV Shelter: 242-1199 Metro Police DV: 880-3000 Bridges Shelter: 599-5777 Rape and Sexual Abuse Center: 259-9055